How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!
– Psalm 84:2
What is where – and what’s it called?
As befits a historic building (see history) our church is labyrinthine. It can be challenging to find your way around if you’re a newcomer.
These are the most important parts of our building:
The narthex: This is the first section of your church you will enter as you come in through the main door under the green awning.
In early Christianity the entrance area of churches was reserved for those seeking baptism (the catechumens).
The church proper, or nave: Off the narthex, to the right as you enter through the main door, the nave resembles an inverted ship or ark.
Inside the nave, you will see:
The Saints Peter and Paul chapel: Walk down any aisle and turn to the right. Set off from the nave by a rood screen, the chapel serves as a church-within-a-church for less formal services.- The Good Shepherd chapel: Facing the Saints Peter and Paul chapel, this is where our piano is located. It is used for musical performances.
- The chancel is raised above the nave and contains the sanctuary, seats for the clergy, the organ console and the choir stalls.
The sanctuary is the enclosed area containing the altar at the very front of the church.- The New Library is at the back of the nave, facing the entrance doors. You will find a bathroom there.
- As you walk around the nave, be sure to look also at the Stations of the Cross, created by the award-winning artist Melanie Twelves. St. Paul’s chose her art to celebrate the Native American heritage of the Walla Walla Valley. These Stations show Christ wearing a fringed leather garment.
The sacristy: The word is derived from the Latin word sacra, “holy things.” Kept in the sacristy are the sacred vessels and the vestments for the priest and altar. The sacristy is where the Altar Guild works.
The atrium: If you enter through the glass doors in front, you stand in the atrium. We use this space for fellowship.
Sunday School Classrooms and Nursery: Entering the atrium through the glass doors, turn left, go through the doorway and down the stairs. This is the gathering hall for children. Continue straight through this room , through the double doors, to find the classrooms. If you turn left immediately upon entering the room you will find the nursery at the end of the hall.
The offices:. If you continue up the stairs on the left from the atrium, the parish secretary’s office will be on the left.
Campbell Hall: Our other fellowship venue is located facing the secretary’s office, on the right at the top of the stairs.
The Guild Room: Enter through the glass doors, cross the atrium, go straight down the hallway ahead, climb the stairs, and enter the room directly in front of you (there are 2 entrances).
If you need help finding a room, please ask anyone for directions.
The shield of St. Paul’s
Bendy sinister wavy of eight Azure and Argent on a pale Gules a sword Argent inverted.
The “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17), is a symbol of the Apostle Paul. The color red symbolizes his martyrdom. The wavy lines are a heraldic representation of clear water and thus reflect the meaning of the Native American name Walla Walla, “many waters.”
